CTA to close Kimball stop for trackwork, provides update on Red Line South Reconstruction project

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will temporarily close the Kimball Brown Line station for nine days beginning early Saturday, July 13, to allow crews to replace track and rail system components that are 50 years old and beyond their useful life.

Crews will replace approximately 700 feet of deteriorated ties, rail, ballast, special track components and the power and signaling systems that are in place along the three sets of track that feed into the Kimball station terminals.

"These tracks have been in service since this portion of the Brown Line was extended back in 1963 and repair work is no longer sufficient, everything must be replaced in its entirety," said CTA President Forrest Claypool.

Beginning early morning Saturday, July 13, until early morning Monday, July 22, the Kimball terminal will be closed and all Brown Line trains will start and end service from the accessible Kedzie Brown Line station, which is approximately 0.4 miles southeast of Kimball.

Project work is being performed by Kiewit with a total construction budget of approximately $4.6 million, which is funded by a 2009 Regional Transportation Authority grant.

In other CTA news, the Red Line South Reconstruction project is chugging right along.

"This is a world-class infrastructure project that will shape Chicago for decades to come," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was joined by CTA Board Chairman Terry Peterson and President Forrest Claypool at the 47th Street station, one of eight stations along the line being rehabbed as part of the $425-million complete reconstruction of the branch. "More people take the Red Line than any other CTA line and this rehabilitation work will help people move around the city more efficiently and will drive economic growth throughout the South Side and the downtown area."

Six weeks into the project, nearly all of the tracks, ties, third rail and ballast have been removed from the 10 miles of railroad between Cermak-Chinatown and 95th Street. Crews have also begun the rehabilitation of eight of the nine stations that are part of the project, with work including lighting replacement or refurbishment, floor reglazing/repair, painting, cleaning and new elevators at the Garfield, 63rd and 87th stations. The ninth station, 95th Street Terminal, will be reconstructed in a separate, $240-million project next year.